For several years, there has been a heated dispute about whether the Three Passes Trek or Everest Base Camp is the better hiking destination. Despite the fact that they are more similar in that they both located in the Everest region and are extremely popular, there are still numerous variances that prevent them from being associated.
Everest Base Camp and Three Passes are both famous for their breathtaking views, wide landscapes, and unique geographical features. However, despite their breathtaking scenery, trekkers must overcome numerous obstacles in order to reach the finish line. The trail of Three Passes is more inclined and rugged; thus hikers may rapidly run out of breath. As a result, Everest Base Camp is more popular than the Three Passes, owing to the large number of trekkers who pass through. Mountaineers ascending Mt. Everest and visitors to Kala Patthar and Island Peak use it as well.
Three Passes Trek vs. Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulties
Although it’s tough to say which trip is more challenging between Three Passes and Everest Base Camp because they’re both in the Khumbu region, it’s understandable why trekkers are hesitant to hike Three Passes.
The trail may appear to be easy at first, following the same path as Everest Base Camp from Lukla, but it gradually becomes more difficult. It travels across steep terrain, which is riddled with jagged rocks and boulders, draining all of the vitality. Because of the constantly climbing path, hikers rapidly become tired and exhausted. Due to the fast exposure to greater elevations up to 18,100 feet, the effect of air pressure is more intense on the Three Passes Trek than on the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Meanwhile, trekkers do not have as much difficulty on the Everest Base Camp trail as they do on the Three Passes trail. There are a few ups and downs on the paths, as well as some steep slopes and towering hills, but that’s about it. Trekkers on the Everest Base Camp Trek will find lots of places to stop and rest along the way, thanks to the numerous little communities along the road.
Although the path to Base Camp is steep, it is not as difficult as Three Passes. Due to unstable rocks and frozen lakes, most hikers only have difficulty traveling between Lobuche and Gorakshep. They only have modest hiking trails that pass through untamed forests, rural communities, and river valleys for the most part.
Itinerary:
Everest Base Camp Trek:
- Day 1: Flight from Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding
- Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
- Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche
- Day 4: Namche to Tengboche
- Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche
- Day 6: Dingboche for acclimatization
- Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche
- Day 8: Lobuche to EBC via Gorakshep
- Day 9: Gorakshep to Kala Patthar and back to Pheriche
- Day 10: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
- Day 11: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
- Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu
Everest Three Pass Trek:
- Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
- Day 2: Trek from Phakding to Namche
- Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche Bazar
- Day 4: Namche to Tengboche
- Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche
- Day 6: Dingboche to Chhukhung
- Day 7: Chhukhung to Lobuche
- Day 8: Lobuche to EBC via Gorakshep
- Day 9: Gorakshep – Kala Pattar – Dzongla
- Day 10: Dzongla to Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass
- Day 11: Acclimatize in Gokyo and hike up to Gokyo
- Day 12: Gokyo to Renjo-La Pass to Lunden
- Day 13: Lungden to Namche
- Day 14: Namche to Lukla
- Day 15: Lukla to Kathmandu
Weather on Three Passes Trek vs Everest Base Camp Trek:
Everest Base Camp and Three Passes, with their low precipitation and temperatures, are typically depicted as having variable weather. Depending on the season, both journeys endure high wind storms and snowfall. Travelers will find the trip exceedingly tough due to the constantly changing weather at both base camp and Three Passes.
As a result, both of these trips will undoubtedly see substantial weather fluctuations as the seasons change. However, due to its higher height, the weather in Three Passes is slightly more severe than that of Everest Base Camp.
With favorable weather and high temperatures, the best seasons for climbing Three Passes are spring and autumn.
The same would be said for Everest. They provide the best weather and breathtaking vistas for base camp hikers. During Three Passes, travelers must hike beside Ngozumpa’s glacial moraine and navigate difficult terrains covered beneath deep snow. Walking the trail throughout the season is difficult because it is quite slick and sticky. The average temperature at Everest Base Camp in the winter ranges from -6 to -13 degrees Celsius, while the temperature at Three Passes lowers to -19 degrees Celsius.
Three Passes Trek Cost vs. Everest Base Camp:
If you believe there is a significant price difference between Three Passes Trek and Everest Base Camp, you are misinformed. Unless trekkers look closely, the price difference between the treks is barely noticeable. Depending on a variety of conditions, the cost of the Three Passes Trek might range from US$1,600 to US$2,400. The cost of the Three Passes Trek can also be affected by the trek’s itinerary. It means that the longer you plan to stay in the area, the more expensive it will be.
The cost of an Everest base camp trip ranges from $1200 to $1800. The cost of the Three Passes Trek and Everest Base Camp is also affected by accommodation and food. Because there are few communities along the Three Passes trail, hikers will need to bring tents and sleeping bags, which will increase the expense. However, hikers reaching Everest Base Camp will have more options for lodging. Trekkers can reserve a room anywhere in the lower valley, from guest houses to home stays and tea houses. However, after they reach a greater height, they will have no choice but to stay in a tea house, which will cost between US$4-US$7 and above.
Three Passes Trek Accessibility vs. Everest Base Camp:
Three Passes Trek and Everest Base Camp are very similar in terms of difficulty. Both start in Lukla and pass through Phakding and Namche Bazaar on their route to Namche Bazaar. Unfortunately, the trail separates up ahead, making the journey to Three Passes more arduous and grueling.
Three Passes offers a more difficult walking track that is rough and hilly as a multi-day excursion. Because the routes are steeper and narrower beyond Chukhung, trekkers become easily exhausted. Of course, many people choose to ignore jagged rocks, moraines, and valleys that are difficult to navigate.
Everest Base Camp is more accessible than Three Passes, with shorter trek trails. It treats hikers fairly by providing a trekking route that is both accessible and low in difficulty. They begin their journey in style by flying to Lukla, which is picturesque and offers a breathtaking vista.
The trail to Dingboche is relatively steep and features stone stairs, but it is not as rough as Three Passes. The trail from Dingboche is rough and loaded with big stones, making it difficult for most hikers to navigate.
Three Passes Trek Preparation vs. Everest Base Camp:
The preparation for the Three Passes Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek is fairly similar. Due to the rough roads, steep terrain, and lofty hills, hikers must arrive prepared before each hike. To stay ripped, you’ll have at devote a significant amount of time to the gym.
Everest Base Camp, on the other hand, requires a different type of physical preparation than Three Passes. While hikers can take it easy on the Everest Base Camp trek, there are no such excuses on the Three Passes Trek.
After evaluating your physical fitness, you’ll need to devise a training routine that will help you raise the strength of your key muscles while also increasing your endurance. To keep fit and healthy, you must devote at least a month to cross-training and exercise.
Not only that, but you’ll need to enhance your balance, which you may do with cardiac activity. Physical stamina can be developed by jogging, cycling, brisk walking, and running.
Aside from that, you’ll need to go for a couple short and lengthy walks on various terrains, if possible. You’ll be able to easily navigate the jagged trails of Three Passes in this manner.